Tory MP says Theresa May is 'insulting' Britain on Brexit in letter of no confidence
2 min read
A Tory MP today accused Theresa May of “insulting the intelligence” of the British people as he filed a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
Outspoken MP Andrew Bridgen said promises made by Mrs May on Brexit appeared to be “all a pretence and a charade intended to dupe the electorate”.
His comments came after the resignations of Boris Johnson and David Davis over Brexit plunged the Government into crisis.
Anti-EU Tory MPs fear the Brexit blueprint agreed by the Cabinet at Chequers last week was too soft. It includes plans to stick with EU goods rules and to collect customs tariffs on behalf of the bloc.
Mr Bridgen said in a letter to Sir Graham Brady - the chair of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers - that the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations amounted to “complete capitulation”.
The North West Leicestershire MP added: “All we have asked from the Prime Minister is that she sticks to what she has promised on repeated occasions when she declared that 'Brexit means Brexit' and pledged to take back control of our money, borders and laws.
“But it now appears those promises are all a pretence and a charade intended to dupe the electorate, which is an insult to their intelligence.
“Therefore in the interests of our country and the future of the Conservative party, I feel the time has come for a new leader and so I am writing this letter to inform you that I have no confidence in the Prime Minister.”
If 15% of Tory MPs - or 48 under current parliamentary arithmetic - send letters of no confidence to Sir Graham, a leadership contest will be automatically triggered.
Yesterday a spokesperson for Mrs May insisted she would fight any leadership challenge that comes her way.
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